An upstander is a person who speaks or acts in support of another person or a cause. An upstander is someone who says something or does something when another person is not being treated with respect. This concept fits well with our PERMA model and work around voice, empathy and belonging – all of which contribute to wellbeing.

Sometimes a situation may not seem right, unkind words may have been spoken or an unkind physical act may have occurred. People who behave in an unkind way are more likely to think that their behaviour is normal or acceptable if no one confronts it, but this can often be reinforced by cultural messages. By reinforcing messages about unacceptable behaviour, we put pressure on people to re-think their behaviour and one way that we can do this is by being an upstander.

We can be upstanders in places where we belong such as within the school yard, the local community, Australia and the world!

We can find role models who have been upstanders and changed the world for the better, people such as Greta Thunberg and Nicky Winmar.

In the past, some Aboriginal footy players were booed by racist people in the crowd. Nicky Winmar was an upstander when, in the middle of a game, he pulled up his shirt and pointed to his skin, saying; “I’m black and I’m proud”. When he did this, he made Aboriginal people feel proud and caused those who were being unkind to think about their attitude.

Greta Thunbourg is an example of a young person who wanted, passionately, to make people aware of climate change. In doing so, she was an upstander because she used her voice to speak out in support of a cause (the environment). While we would never encourage you to “strike” from school, her actions did have an impact, world leaders listened and became more responsible with formulating policies to protect the environment.

“One” by Catherine Otashi

“Say Something” by Peter Reynolds

An upstander can be someone who intervenes on behalf of a person being bullied. The Bullying Project Australia defines an upstander as – “someone who recognises when something is wrong and acts to make it right. When an upstander sees or hears about someone being bullied, they speak up. Being an upstander is being a hero: we are standing up for what is right and doing our best to help support and protect someone who is being hurt.”

Sesame Street – “Being an upstander”

The Upstander – A Short Clip – NSW Department of Education

NED Being an upstander

Hattie and Hudson

The Juice Box Bully